Ferretti SpA’s second-largest investor is preparing to call a shareholder vote to remove directors tied to the yacht maker’s largest owner, China’s Weichai Group. The move signals a deepening governance clash at the Italian luxury boat builder, where control has been contested since Weichai’s acquisition. Investors are watching how this could impact the company’s strategic direction.

Weichai Group, a Chinese industrial conglomerate, acquired a controlling stake in Ferretti in 2012. The investor’s push reflects broader tensions between Western institutional investors and state-linked Chinese ownership in European luxury brands. Such conflicts often center on board independence and long-term strategy, especially as Ferretti navigates a post-pandemic recovery in the high-end yacht market.

The outcome of the proposed vote could reshape Ferretti’s boardroom dynamics and potentially affect its stock valuation. Shareholders will weigh governance concerns against Weichai’s capital and market access. The situation underscores the challenges of cross-border ownership in luxury goods, where brand heritage and investor returns often collide.